do you need a visa to work in south africa

How do I get a South African work visa?

To get a visa to work in South Africa legally, the applicant must visit their country’s South African embassy, diplomatic representative, or consulate in person. They will need to bring the relevant documents along with them to apply, so they should confirm the requirements in advance.

Can I work in South Africa as a citizen of another country?

If you are a citizen of another country, you will need to apply for the Working Holiday Visa, even if you are a South African citizen. If you are a South African citizen, you can apply for the Working Holiday Visa. You will need to apply for the visa before you arrive in South Africa.

Do you need a visa to live in South Africa?

VISA Required – When You Must Get a Visa. You will need a passport to enter South Africa, if you intend to stay for longer than your exemption period, if you don’t have a passport for any of the above mentioned countries, if you intend to work, study, partake in sports events or intend to take up permanent residency in South Africa.

How long is a South African work visa valid for?

This visa is valid for up to five years and can be renewed if necessary. Permanent residence in South Africa is a possibility for employees with certain work visas. Workers are eligible to apply for permanent residence in South Africa after five years of living in the country with a General Work Visa.

How long does a work visa last in South Africa?

What is a letter of recommendation for a business visa in South Africa?

How long does it take to get an extension for a visa in South Africa?

What is a work visa in South Africa?

How long is a critical skills visa valid?

What is SAQA in writing?

What are the types of work visas available in South Africa?

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Can I work in South Africa as a foreigner?

General work visa for South Africa General work visas may be issued to foreigners when there are no South African citizens or permanent residents with the relevant skills available. General work visas are valid for the duration of the employment contract, up to a maximum of 5 years.

How long does it take to get a work visa in South Africa?

Companies who are properly incorporated and registered in South Africa can organise General Work Visas for their foreign workers. It takes 2-4 months dependent on whether the company is already registered for sponsorship. The processing time varies dependent on the country of residence of the employee.

What is needed for a foreigner to work in South Africa?

General work VisaA duly completed application form signed by yourself, the applicant.A passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of intended visit.Payment of the prescribed fee.A vaccination certificate, if required by the Act.More items...

Can I work in South Africa with a British passport?

Although a South African tourist visa for UK citizens is not necessary for short stays, British nationals who require a travel document such as a work visa or a study visa will be required to apply at the South African embassy in London.

How much is a work visa for South Africa?

How much does a South African work visa cost? According to the South African Department of Home Affairs applicants can expect to pay about R1520,00 per visa application.

How much is South Africa visa fee?

Non-refundable visa fee of ₦8,600, excluding service fee. See the full checklist to ensure you have all the required documents.

How long can you stay in South Africa without a visa?

U.S. citizens (U.S. passport holders) visiting the Republic of South Africa for ninety (90) days or less for tourism / business purposes do not need visas.

Why is it hard to get a job in South Africa?

It can be tough to get work as a migrant in South Africa unless you have specific skills and qualifications needed in the country. Semi-skilled and unskilled jobs are hard to come by and employers prefer to recruit from the pool of unemployed locals.

Is South Africa a good place to work?

Yes, South Africa is definitely a good place to work. Let's list some reasons for you: Many South African employers have shifted to remote work or hybrid work, where employees work from both the home and the office, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act protect your rights as an employee.

Where can British citizens work without a visa?

If you want to work overseas rather than just live, consider Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos. British passport holders can both live and work in these countries for six months.

Can a UK citizen live in South Africa?

If you move to South Africa from the UK, you'll need to set up a South African bank account for your financial needs. Fortunately, the process is relatively simple for emigrating Brits and can be done with a permanent visa or a temporary one. You'll need to provide: A temporary or permanent residence permit.

Do I need a visa from UK to South Africa?

You can travel to South Africa for any purpose for up to 90 days without a visa. You should check the expiry date of your visa or entry stamp and make sure you do not overstay. You may need to complete a health form to enter South Africa. See Visas and Passport validity sections for more information.

How long does it take to get a work visa approved?

about two to seven monthsHow Long Does It Take to Get a Work Visa? In general, it takes about two to seven months for the USCIS to process a work permit application. The time your work visa processes will highly depend on the type of visa you applied for. However, with extensive backlogs, there are longer wait times for obtaining work visas.

How do you get a work visa for South Africa?

Work permits or temporary visas for work are issued by the Department of Home Affairs. Applications for temporary residence visas are processed and finalised at the foreign offices of the Department of Home Affairs, and you should make travel arrangements only once the visa has been approved.

How long does it take to get your visa once approved?

How Long Does It Take to Get a United States Visa? The average United States visa application will be processed within 3 to 5 weeks. Within 3 to 5 weeks of completing your application and embassy interview, you should hear back on whether your application has been approved or denied.

How long does it take for a visa to be approved?

The entire visa application processing takes somewhere between two weeks and four months, depending on the type of visa. Please check what visa category you are going to need to have enough time left for the application process. Additional factors.

South Africa Work Visa Requirements (Documents Checklist) | BTW

Be a genuine traveller-You must have a valid and good intention behind travelling to the country.Eligible to bear all expenses -You must possess sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents throughout the stay. Reasons to return - You must have strong ties in your home country that will ensure that you will return after your stay. Be of good character - You must have a clean ...

Work visa requirements for South Africa - Intergate Immigration Service ...

Some Frequently asked questions on work visas. Can I apply for Permanent Residency with a work visa? Obtaining permanent residency via the work visa option inevitably means first having to not just get temporary residency but also maintain it for a 5 year period of time.

How do I obtain a work permit? | South African Government

Work permits or temporary visas for work are issued by the Department of Home Affairs.. Applications for temporary residence visas are processed and finalised at the foreign offices of the Department of Home Affairs, and you should make travel arrangements only once the visa has been approved.The types of visa are:

Apply for a visa | South African Government

If you want to visit South Africa, you must produce a valid visa before you can enter into the country. A visa will be issued for a visit for tourism or business purposes and is valid for a period of 90 days.

South Africa Work Visa for Indians - Procedure, Fees, etc | BTW

The South Africa work visa for Indians is an endorsement that lets Indian nationals take up general employment in South African organizations. Almost all the nationals require a work visa to work in the country. The work visa is granted for a stay duration as long as the duration of the work contract.

How do I get a South African work visa as an entrepreneur?

If you intend on working for yourself in South Africa, you'll have to get a Business Visa.

How can I move money to South Africa from my bank account overseas?

To get the most of your money, you'll want to open a bank account in South Africa, which you can do before you arrive.

How will my visa affect my spouse and family members?

You can either apply once you have your visa in hand, or at the same time as you put in your own application. This extends to a spouse or partner, and children under the age of 18.

How to get a critical skills visa?

To get a Critical Skills Visa, you’ ll have to be planning on working in one of a number of shortage areas. The list of critical skills is published in the government Gazette periodically, or available from embassies. The range of jobs covered runs from niche positions like sheep shearing, to architects, network engineers and people working in the finance sector. With this visa type you might be able to get your paperwork sorted out without needing a firm job offer, as long as your qualifications are approved by the local authorising body in South Africa.

Do I need a South African work visa?

Your first priority should be to figure out if you need a work permit at all. In some cases, depending on your nationality and the role you’re going to take on, a permit might not be necessary.

Who Needs a South African Work Visa?

The South African Work Visa acts as a temporary residence visa. If you are not a permanent resident or a citizen of South Africa and wish to work in the country, you will need to obtain a South Africa work Visa.

Types of South African Work Visas

This is the most common type of work visa you can apply for in South Africa. You can obtain this visa only if there is a position in a company which a South African Citizen does not fill. The position should be advertised on social media, ensuring that the jobs are not denied to the citizens of South Africa.

Where to apply for a South African work visa

An appropriate visa is required for a foreigner who wishes to enter South Africa at:

What is a general work visa?

General Work Visas are issued to foreigners where it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that South African citizens and permanent residents with the relevant qualifications or skills and experience are not available for appointment.

Can a multinational company transfer employees in South Africa?

Occasionally, multi-national companies may decide to transfer an existing employee in a key position from a foreign branch to a branch, subsidiary or an affiliate of that company in South Africa. Such employees must apply for intra-company transfer work permits.

How long is a visa valid for South Africa?

A visa will be issued for a visit for tourism or business purposes and is valid for a period of 90 days. Some countries are exempted from visa control, which means that citizens from those countries do not need a visa to visit South Africa.

What happens if you don't have a visa?

If you arrive without a visa, immigration officials are obliged to put you onto a flight back to your home country. Depending on your intended visit, you can apply for a Visitor’s Visa or a Transit Visa. or contact the Department of Home Affairs.

90 Days Visa Exemption

Nationals who hold valid national passports of the following 48 countries/territories are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of up to 90 days.

30 days Visa Exemption

Citizens who hold valid national passports of the following 28 countries/territories are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of up to 30 days:

VISA Required – When You Must Get a Visa

You will need a passport to enter South Africa, if you intend to stay for longer than your exemption period, if you don’t have a passport for any of the above mentioned countries, if you intend to work, study, partake in sports events or intend to take up permanent residency in South Africa.

Overstay consequences – What will happen if I overstay my Visa Period?

According to the amended South African Immigration Act 13 of 2002, foreign nationals overstaying the expiry of their South African visas will be determined “undesirable” and, consequently, face being banned from the Republic for a period of up to 5 years.

What Is a South Africa eVisa for American Citizens and What Does It Do?

The South Africa eVisa for Americans is an upcoming electronic visa system designed to allow eligible foreign nationals to apply online for authorization to enter South Africa.

What is an e-visa in South Africa?

The South Africa electronic visa (eVisa) for American citizens is a new digital visa that will allow visitors to enter the country for business and leisure trips without having to gain a visa from a South African embassy or consulate beforehand.

How long can a US citizen stay in South Africa?

Each year more than 350,000 Americans use this scheme to visit South Africa. US citizens holding a valid national passport can enter South Africa for up to 90 days at any port of arrival.

When did South Africa start evisa?

In 2019 , with the aim of advancing the visa application process for visitors to the country, the South African government began piloting the South Africa eVisa scheme.

Can Americans get an evisa in South Africa?

This means that American citizens are not currently able to apply for a South Africa eVisa. When it is made available to Americans, US passport holders will be able to apply for ...

Do US citizens need a visa to visit South Africa?

US citizens planning a short-term holiday or business trip to South Africa do not currently need to gain a visa. This is because the United States is on the list of 47 countries whose citizens can enter the state via a visa exemption scheme, in accordance with South Africa’s visa policy. Each year more than 350,000 Americans use this scheme ...

How long does a work visa last in South Africa?

Work visas last for the same time as your employment contract or for a maximum number of years. In general, visa extensions are possible. You should apply for a work visa if: you wish to take up temporary employment in South Africa, with or without reward.

What is a letter of recommendation for a business visa in South Africa?

All business visa applicants must apply for a letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry regarding the feasibility of their business and the contribution of the business to the national interest of South Africa.

How long does it take to get an extension for a visa in South Africa?

You should start your application for an extension of your visa at least 90 days prior to the expiry date, which can be made at any Visa Facilitation Centre (VFS) office in South Africa; you can complete the application form online. There is a fee payable when applying for an extension of a temporary residence visa – the fee for an extension is the same as for the original application.

What is a work visa in South Africa?

Your South African work visa acts as your temporary residence visa. Any person who is not a citizen or permanent resident in South Africa and who wishes to work in the country generally needs to obtain a work visa.

How long is a critical skills visa valid?

The Critical Skills Work Visa is valid for a maximum period of five years , and extensions are possible. However, as shown below, permanent residence is achievable immediately after earning the Critical Skills Work Visa.

What is SAQA in writing?

A relevant South African authority (for example, SAQA) needs to confirm the applicant’s skills in writing; this ensures the applicant falls within the critical field of work. Occasionally a letter from the relevant professional body is also necessary.

What are the types of work visas available in South Africa?

These include: general employment, inter-company transfer, highly-skilled migrant, or business entrepreneur.